Henderson County EMS to discuss new cardiac program

Blueridgenow.com

Published: Monday, March 18, 2013 at 9:09 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, March 18, 2013 at 9:09 a.m.

Henderson County Emergency Medical Services will provide information to other health care providers and EMS agencies about a new cardiac care program on March 21 at the TEDC Conference Hall at Blue Ridge Community College. The course will run from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Cardiovascular disease is the single-greatest cause of death in the United States. Each year upward of a quarter of a million persons receive attempted resuscitation from cardiac arrest by EMS.

Survival from out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest is extremely variable throughout the United States, with high survival rates of 52 percent in Seattle and King County, Washington, and low survival rates of 7.7 percent in Alabama, to less than 10 percent in North Carolina.

In the interest of improving survival, only a small percentage of communities in the country have rigorously measured and reported survival rates. Most communities have no idea as to how they are managing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

In order to provide the highest level of care to citizens that experience sudden cardiac arrest, the event sponsor, Henderson County EMS, recently adopted specific cardiac arrest survival guidelines and joined the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival program.

This approach has resulted in a marked improvement in cardiac arrest survival.

This program is targeted toward all health care providers who are interested in learning about the current processes for better care of cardiac arrest patients. Using a multidisciplinary approach by experts in the field, the course will provide participants the opportunity to gain knowledge, skills and resources to improve survival from cardiac arrest in their community.

Pre-registration is required to assure space in the program. The following state agencies are fee-exempt for this course: volunteer fireman, paid firemen, volunteer life saving, paid live saving, paid law enforcement and state residents over 65 years old.

Other health care providers (i.e. physicians and nurses) should list affiliation with emergency management or the EMS system of their respected counties. If no affiliation exists, a $65 tuition fee must accompany the registration.

<p>Henderson County Emergency Medical Services will provide information to other health care providers and EMS agencies about a new cardiac care program on March 21 at the TEDC Conference Hall at Blue Ridge Community College. The course will run from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.</p><p>Cardiovascular disease is the single-greatest cause of death in the United States. Each year upward of a quarter of a million persons receive attempted resuscitation from cardiac arrest by EMS. </p><p>Survival from out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest is extremely variable throughout the United States, with high survival rates of 52 percent in Seattle and King County, Washington, and low survival rates of 7.7 percent in Alabama, to less than 10 percent in North Carolina. </p><p>In the interest of improving survival, only a small percentage of communities in the country have rigorously measured and reported survival rates. Most communities have no idea as to how they are managing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.</p><p>In order to provide the highest level of care to citizens that experience sudden cardiac arrest, the event sponsor, Henderson County EMS, recently adopted specific cardiac arrest survival guidelines and joined the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival program. </p><p>This approach has resulted in a marked improvement in cardiac arrest survival. </p><p>This program is targeted toward all health care providers who are interested in learning about the current processes for better care of cardiac arrest patients. Using a multidisciplinary approach by experts in the field, the course will provide participants the opportunity to gain knowledge, skills and resources to improve survival from cardiac arrest in their community. </p><p>Pre-registration is required to assure space in the program. The following state agencies are fee-exempt for this course: volunteer fireman, paid firemen, volunteer life saving, paid live saving, paid law enforcement and state residents over 65 years old. </p><p>Other health care providers (i.e. physicians and nurses) should list affiliation with emergency management or the EMS system of their respected counties. If no affiliation exists, a $65 tuition fee must accompany the registration. </p><p>To register, contact Jim Teague, Henderson County EMS training officer, at 828-697-4560 or jteague@hendersoncountync.org.</p>